The Assembly’s Transportation Committee on Monday approved a bill that would require airlines to ensure passengers have sufficient air, water, food and working toilets if they are forced to wait on the tarmac for more than three hours at California airports.

Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, modeled his Airline Passenger Bill of Rights after a similar law adopted last year in New York.

Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-El Segundo, announced a similar bill last month that would require airlines to provide basic amenities to airline passengers stuck on the tarmac for more than one hour. Lieu’s proposed Airline Passenger Health and Safety Act is expected to be heard by the state Senate later this year.

AREAWIDE

Boat-surrender bill advances

The Assembly’s Transportation Committee on Monday approved a bill that would allow boaters to surrender unwanted vessels to local public agencies.

The proposed measure, AB 1950, would increase fines for boat owners who abandon their vessels. It also allows local agencies to apply for grants to dispose of boats surrendered by their owners.

Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-El Segundo, said he wrote the bill to decrease the number of boats abandoned on the state’s shores and waterways. More than 1 million boats are registered in California.

The Assembly’s Appropriations Committee will consider the bill next month before it goes to the full Assembly.

“So many cities are dealing with abandoned boats left on their shores or sunken to the bottom of their waterways,” Lieu said.

“This legislation gives boat owners and local agencies the ability to be proactive in dealing with these type of vessels before they become a hazard.”

REDONDO BEACH

Police seeking volunteers

The Redondo Beach Police Department is looking for volunteers for its Domestic Violence Advocacy Program.

Volunteers will help victims of domestic violence with crisis counseling and community outreach services.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should pick up an application at the police station at Diamond Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Applications must be submitted by April 30. For more information, call 310-379-2477, Ext. 2336.

REDONDO BEACH

Traffic stop nets drug bust

Redondo Beach police officers who pulled a car over because its windows were too dark arrested the driver when they found his car loaded with cash and drugs, authorities said Monday.

Stefan Wiese, 35, of San Francisco was arrested during the traffic stop Saturday in the 2100 block of Artesia Boulevard, police said.

Inside his car, police found about 10 grams of marijuana, a gram scale, a marijuana grinder and $22,812.25 in cash.

Wiese was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana for transportation and sale.

Officers also found 130 grams of marijuana packaged in various containers inside his Aviation Boulevard motel room.

TORRANCE

Dogs help nab 4 in 2 crimes

Police dogs in Torrance played roles early Monday in capturing four suspected burglars in two separate crimes.

First, a dog located a man shortly after midnight hiding in an air conditioning duct inside a vacant building at 2154 Torrance Blvd.

Police ordered him to come out, but he refused until an officer shot him with a bean bag round, Torrance police Officer Dave Crespin said.

A second suspect was found deep inside a ventilation shaft. Police believe the men were searching for precious metals, including copper wire, Crespin said.

Arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary were Javier Lopez, 34, and Jesus Solis, 40, both of Los Angeles.

In the second crime at 5:30 a.m., Salvador Jacobo Patino, 21, of Paramount and Michelle De La Crus, 19, of Lakewood were arrested on suspicion of trying to steal a catalytic converter from a sport utility vehicle in the 2400 block of 236th Place.

Patino led a brief chase and ran from his car, but a police dog found him hiding in a trash can near the 900 block of Teri Avenue.

REDONDO BEACH

Man, 75, choked and robbed

A 75-year-old man was knocked unconscious and robbed by a man as he walked from his doctor’s office in Redondo Beach, police said Monday.

The crime occurred about 10:35 a.m. Friday in the 1900 block of South Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, police said.

The robber grabbed the victim in a choke hold until he became unconscious. The robber took his Rolex watch.

The victim is recovering.

– From staff reports

CORRECTION

Due to an editing change, a quotation appeared out of context in Monday’s article about a new business improvement district for San Pedro.

Eric Eisenberg, a supporter of the district, commented that the positive impacts of the proposed BID would be “huge.” The article made it appear that he was referring to the cost of the district to property owners.

A map showing the district’s boundaries also should have been published with the story.